In order to make the best use of the expertise of the universities, institutes and scientific centers from within and outside the Muslim world, and to achieve intellectual convergence and enhance knowledge integration among the reputable scientific institutions in the OIC Member states, H.E. Prof. Koutoub Sano, Secretary-General of the Academy, and H.E. Prof. Salama Gomaa Ali Daoud, President of Al-Azhar University, signed a cooperation agreement between the two institutions, this morning, Tuesday 23 Rabi Al-Awal 1444, corresponding to 18 October 2022, at the university’s headquarters in Cairo.

This new agreement aims to build a broad strategic partnership in the scientific, intellectual and research fields between the two institutions, especially in the field of joint studies and research on contemporary issues and calamities in order to direct and rationalize them. It also focuses on strengthening the coordination and cooperation between the Academy and institutions and bodies that work in the field of awareness-raising and education, correcting false ideas, spreading moderate Islamic thought, and rejecting fanaticism, extremism, and terrorism. The agreement also aims to jointly organize conferences and symposiums, hold workshops and training, exchange publications and publications, and represent the two sides in the conferences and symposia.

After signing the agreement, the Secretary-General of the Academy expressed his great pleasure and honor to sign this important agreement with one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the in the world, praising that glorious historical position of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif as a university of all fields, especially in scientific research, and in empowering generations of legal, social and natural sciences, as well as promoting moderation, and spreading a culture of moderation, tolerance and coexistence. His Excellency also noted his personal feeling of being one of those generation who received their preparatory and secondary education at the hands of Azharites before joining King Saud University in Riyadh.

His Excellencty concluded his speech by expressing his aspiration that this agreement would enable the Academy to benefit from the expertise and capacities of this prestigious university, by receiving male and female researchers from its various faculties and institutes to participate in the Academy’s sessions, seminars and conferences, in order to enhance the close scientific and research cooperation between the two institutions in various fields.

For his part, the Rector of the University expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Secretary-General for completing this agreement and for the appreciation, love, and respect he has for Al-Azhar Al-Sharif as a whole and as a university. His Excellency also praised the prestigious scientific position and the great intellectual reputation that the Society enjoys within and outside the OIC Member states, as a pioneering model for intellectual convergence among the Ummah’s scholars, and for promoting cooperation and integration among its scientific institutions.

It should be noted that, in implementation of the terms of the memorandum, the two parties agreed to form a specialized committee to determine the aspects of cooperation between them, and the means of implementation.

The signing ceremony at the university’s headquarters was attended by Prof. Dr. Mohamed Al-Mahrasawi, former university president, Dr. Mohamed Abu Zaid Al-Amir, Vice President of the University for Lower Egypt, Dr. Mahmoud Siddik, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, and Dr. Mohamed El-Sherbiny, Vice President for Education Affairs And students, as well as Prof. Abdullah Mabrouk Al-Najjar, appointed member of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, Mrs. Sarah Amjad Hussein, Director of Family Affairs at the Academy, and Mr. Amjad Ibrahim Mustafa, Head of the Protocols Division at the Academy.